My last 2 submission losses in competition were from being kimura’d in north/south. It is definitely something I struggle with. 

For little kids jiu jitsu, I would really stress to master this technique and try to get a feel for the timing. There isn’t many sweeps taught for the little kids when on bottom with someone in your guard. Unless opening the guard to sweep or attack, this is one of the only sweeps from a closed guard. 

For kids striking, specifically teens, keep coming back! It can seem repetitive sometimes with striking because there are only a handful of different types of strikes out there to learn. But when you can link them together into combinations and feel the dance and flow with it, it becomes so much fun. 

Chess not checkers. What is the position gonna be after this transition and what can you do to set yourself up for success

Not so much a technique, but the response from the parents and kids alike for shark tank has been amazing. Getting great feedback and interest in the in-house competition idea as well. I think that Shark Tank has taken over the idea of game day and has a huge impact on confidence and team building with all the training partners cheering them on. 

The bear hug escape without arms is one of Jacob’s favorite techniques to drill. I keep point to focus on with the kids will be the proper back step and turn. 

In regards to the striking techniques for the week…. The overhand punch is a unique one. Not a commonly thrown punch by any means, and some may even consider it to not be a fundamental punch either. The power behind the overhand though has serious knockout power, it’s the Hail Mary of punches if you will. As far as kicking goes, timing and connecting kicks back to back, or at the end of a combination is a fundamental part of striking that I think everyone should learn. Proper technique and delivery can have show stopping impact. 

Separation of sport jiu jitsu and self defense jiu jitsu is sometimes lost. The bully grip is hardly ever used in sport jiu jitsu for a kid. It is however the iconic bully grip and on a self defense level, learning to defeat this grip is super important. It then blends straight into a common sport jiu jitsu technique of the arm bar, a highly efficient technique used by many of the greats in the sport. 

In little kids, I love seeing it click when 1 technique ends, and you can see in their eyes, how it’s the start to another set up. Landing the bully grip takedown this week, a huge focus on making sure they don’t let go of that wrist, allows such an easy transition into the arm bar. 

After helping with a few competitions now, I definitely see the difference between competitive training and technical training. I think we can do more at ROL to help with competitive training, but that being said, I also think it is something that needs to be worked on at home, in all aspects of life. The competitive attitude, the ability to push through discomfort, adapt and overcome…. These are life skills. Jiu jitsu competition is going to help with putting them in those uncomfortable situations where they have to fight thru and sharpen those skills, but that isn’t where they learn it. Being a good training partner is someone who can push each other in a positive environment, but also dialing down to allow your partner to learn the move correct and with sound technique to execute it in competition. There is a balance between aggression and skill that needs to be found for every competitor. Speed and technique often complement power and strength. 

Pulling guard….. while it can sometimes get smack talked, it has its place and benefits. If someone isn’t comfortable in their takedowns, pulling guard allows a sense of control. You get safely to the ground and can control posture, before planning your own attack, at your own pace.